U.S. patent application number 15/674933 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-15 for folder with movable divider.
The applicant listed for this patent is ACCO Brands Corporation. Invention is credited to Edward P. Busam.
Application Number | 20180043727 15/674933 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61160070 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180043727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Busam; Edward P. |
February 15, 2018 |
FOLDER WITH MOVABLE DIVIDER
Abstract
A folder including a main panel, a pocket panel coupled to the
main panel and defining a pocket therebetween, and a divider
coupled to the main panel. The divider is movable between an
inserted position wherein at least part of the divider is
positioned in the pocket, and a retracted position wherein the at
least part of the divider is not positioned in the pocket. The
divider includes at least one of a slit or a notch to provide ease
of movement of the divider in moving between the inserted position
and the retracted position.
Inventors: |
Busam; Edward P.; (Mason,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ACCO Brands Corporation |
Lake Zurich |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61160070 |
Appl. No.: |
15/674933 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62374288 |
Aug 12, 2016 |
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62374291 |
Aug 12, 2016 |
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62414503 |
Oct 28, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42F 7/06 20130101; B42F
21/04 20130101; B42F 11/00 20130101; B42F 17/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B42F 11/00 20060101
B42F011/00; B42F 7/06 20060101 B42F007/06; B42F 21/04 20060101
B42F021/04 |
Claims
1. A folder comprising: a main panel; a pocket panel coupled to
said main panel and defining a pocket therebetween; and a divider
coupled to said main panel, said divider being movable between an
inserted position wherein at least part of said divider is
positioned in said pocket, and a retracted position wherein said at
least part of said divider is not positioned in said pocket,
wherein said divider includes at least one of a slit or a notch to
provide ease of movement of said divider in moving between said
inserted position and said retracted position.
2. The folder of claim 1 wherein said divider is coupled to said
main panel along at least part of a first side edge of said
divider, and wherein said divider includes a second side edge
positioned on an opposite side of said divider relative to said
first side edge, and wherein said at least one of a slit or a notch
is formed in said second side edge.
3. The folder of claim 2 wherein said divider is not coupled to
said main panel along said second side edge.
4. The folder of claim 2 wherein said divider includes a notch and
wherein said second side edge is generally straight on either side
of said notch except for where said notch is located.
5. The folder of claim 2 wherein part of said first side edge of
said divider is coupled to said main panel and another part of said
first side edge of said divider is not coupled to said main
panel.
6. The folder of claim 1 wherein said divider is generally
rectangular in top view and is coupled to said main panel along an
entirety of only one outer edge of the divider.
7. The folder of claim 1 wherein said divider is coupled to said
main panel along at least part of a first side edge thereof, and
wherein said divider includes an upper edge oriented generally
perpendicular to said first side edge, and wherein said divider is
coupled to said main panel along said upper edge.
8. The folder of claim 7 wherein said first side edge is aligned
with a side edge of said main panel, and wherein said upper edge of
said divider is aligned with an upper edge of said main panel.
9. The folder of claim 1 wherein said divider is coupled to said
main panel along at least part of a first side edge thereof, and
wherein said divider has a width extending generally perpendicular
to said first side edge, and wherein said slit or notch extends at
least about 50% of said width.
10. The folder of claim 1 wherein said divider includes a notch
that is generally "V" shaped or generally "U" shaped in top
view.
11. The folder of claim 10 wherein said pocket has a mouth
extending in a first direction and said divider has a height
extending in a second direction perpendicular to said first
direction, and wherein said notch has a mouth with a height that is
at least about 1/10 of a height of said divider.
12. The folder of claim 1 wherein said pocket has a mouth extending
in a first direction and said pocket panel has a height extending
in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and
wherein said divider has a height that is greater than the height
of said pocket panel.
13. The folder of claim 1 wherein said pocket has a mouth extending
in a first direction and said folder has a height extending in a
second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and wherein
said divider has a height that is greater than a height of said
main panel less a height of said pocket panel.
14. The folder of claim 1 wherein said pocket has a mouth extending
in a first direction and said folder has a height extending in a
second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and wherein
said slit or notch is entirely positioned in an upper half of a
height of said divider.
15. The folder of claim 1 wherein said main panel, said pocket
panel and said divider are all made of a single, unitary seamless
piece of material.
16. The folder of claim 1 wherein said at least part of said
divider is a lower portion of said divider, and wherein only said
at least part of said divider is positionable in said pocket when
said divider is in said inserted position.
17. The folder of claim 1 further comprising: a supplemental main
panel coupled to said main panel along a hinge line; a supplemental
pocket panel coupled to said supplemental main panel and defining a
supplemental pocket therebetween; and a supplemental divider
coupled to said supplemental main panel, said supplemental divider
being movable between an inserted position wherein at least part of
said supplemental divider is positioned in said supplemental
pocket, and a retracted position wherein said at least part of said
supplemental divider is not positioned in said supplemental pocket,
wherein said supplemental divider includes at least one of a slit
or a notch to provide ease of movement of said supplemental divider
in moving between said inserted position and said retracted
position.
18. A folder comprising: a main panel; a pocket panel coupled to
said main panel and defining a pocket therebetween; and a divider
having an upper edge, a lower edge, and inner edge and an outer
edge, wherein said divider is coupled to said main panel along at
least part of said upper edge and at least part of said outer edge,
wherein said divider is movable between an inserted position
wherein at least part of said divider is positioned in said pocket
and a retracted position wherein no part of said divider is
positioned in said pocket, wherein said divider includes at least
one of a slit or a notch at said inner edge to provide ease of
movement of said divider in moving between said inserted position
and said retracted position.
19. The folder of claim 18 wherein said divider is coupled to said
main panel along only part of said outer edge, and wherein said
inner edge is positioned on an opposite side of said divider
relative to said outer edge.
20. The folder of claim 18 wherein said divider is generally
rectangular in top view and includes a notch which is generally "U"
shaped or generally "V" shaped in top view.
Description
[0001] The present invention is directed to a folder, and more
particularly, to a folder including a movable divider.
[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/374,288 filed on Aug. 12, 2016 and entitled
Folder with Movable Divider; and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/374,291 filed on Aug. 12, 2016 and entitled
Dual Binding System; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 62/414,503 filed on Oct. 28, 2016 and entitled Folder with
Movable Divider. The entire contents of all three U.S. provisional
applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0003] School and office products, such as folders, filers,
portfolios, pockets, storage devices and the like (collectively
termed a "folder" herein) are often utilized to provide pockets to
store papers and other loose items. In some cases, the folder may
include a divider to sub-divide the pocket into pocket
compartments. However the dividers in many existing folders are not
sufficiently flexible/movable, may be relatively stiff and/or prone
to tearing during use.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment the present invention is a folder
including a main panel, a pocket panel coupled to the main panel
and defining a pocket therebetween, and a divider coupled to the
main panel. The divider is movable between an inserted position
wherein at least part of the divider is positioned in the pocket,
and a retracted position wherein the at least part of the divider
is not positioned in the pocket. The divider includes at least one
of a slit or a notch to provide ease of movement of the divider in
moving between the inserted position and the retracted
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a folder, shown in
its open position;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a top view of the folder of FIG. 1, with a piece
of paper inserted in one pocket of the folder below the associated
divider, and another piece of paper inserted in the other pocket of
the folder above the associated divider;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of the folder of FIG. 1, with the
dividers positioned outside of the associated pockets, and with one
of the dividers including a slit instead of a cut-out;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a top view of the folder of FIG. 1, shown in its
closed position;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a top view of a blank that can be used to form the
folder of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIGS. 6-8 are a series of top views of a portion of the
folder of FIG. 1, showing the divider moved from inside the pocket
to outside the pocket; and
[0011] FIGS. 9 and 10 are a series of top views of a portion of
another folder, showing movement of a divider.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] In one embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the folder
10 can include a first main panel 12 and a second main panel 14
pivotally coupled together along a central pivot line or fold line
16. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the folder 10 in its open position wherein
the main panels 12, 14 are positioned adjacent to each in a
side-by-side configuration. The folder 10 and/or panels 12, 14 can
be foldable or pivotable about the fold line 16 to its closed
position, shown in FIG. 4, where the main panels 12, 14 are
generally aligned. The panels 12, 14 can each have a series of
holes 27 extending therethrough and positioned adjacent to the fold
line 16 to enable the folder 10 to be coupled to binding mechanism,
such as a three ring binder (not shown).
[0013] In the illustrated embodiment each main panel 12, 14 is
generally flat and planar, and generally rectangular in top view.
The first and second main panels 12, 14 may each include or be
coupled to an associated pocket panel 18, 20, which are also each
generally rectangular in top view in the illustrated embodiment.
Each pocket panel 18, 20 is positioned on or adjacent to an inner
surface of the associated main panel 12, 14 to define a pocket 22,
24 therebetween such that papers and other loose items can be
positioned in each pocket 22, 24. Each pocket 22, 24 can have a
mouth 25 providing access thereto and extending laterally along an
upper edge of each pocket 22. It should be understood that the
shape and configuration of the folder 10, including the first 12
and second 14 main panels, pocket panels 18, 20 and pockets 22, 24
can be varied as desired beyond that shown and described herein.
The folder 10 can include a pair of dividers or divider flaps 26,
28, where each divider 26, 28 may be coupled to an associated main
panel 12, 14. Each divider 26, 28 can be movable between an
inserted position wherein at least part (a lower/distal part, in
the illustrated embodiment) of each divider 26, 28 is positioned in
the associated pocket 22, 24 below the mouth 25 (FIGS. 1 and 2),
and a retracted position wherein the at least part of each divider
26, 28 and/or the entirety of each divider 26, 28 is not positioned
in the associated pocket 22, 24 and is generally parallel with a
plane of the associated main panel 12, 14 (FIG. 3).
[0014] When each divider 26, 28 is in its inserted position, the
divider 26, 28 can divide each pocket 22, 24 into smaller pockets
or sub-compartments to aid in organization of the contents of the
pockets 22, 24. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a paper 30
positioned in the pocket 22 behind the divider 26 (e.g. positioned
between the divider 26 and the main panel 12), and another paper 32
positioned in the pocket 24 in front of the divider 28 (e.g.
positioned between the divider 28 and the pocket panel 20). Thus
various papers or other items positioned in each pocket 22, 24 can
be located in front of, behind, or both in front of and behind the
associated divider 26, 28.
[0015] Each divider 26, 28 can be generally rectangular in top
view, having an upper edge 34, an outer edge (or a first side edge)
36, a lower edge 38 and an inner edge 40 (or a second side edge 40
positioned opposite the first side edge 36). In one case, the upper
edge 34 of each divider 26, 28 is coupled to, or positioned
adjacent to or aligned with upper edge 42 of the associated main
panel 12, 14 along an entire length of the upper edge 34. In
addition, the outer edge 36 of each divider 26, 28 can be coupled
to an outer edge 44 of the associated main panel 12, 14 for at
least a portion thereof, where each outer edge 36, 44 is generally
perpendicular to the upper edge 34, 42. In the illustrated
embodiment a distal/lower portion 46 of the outer edge 36 of each
divider 26, 28 moves inwardly away from the outer edge 44 of the
associated main panel 12, 14 when moving in a downward direction,
away from the upper edge 34, to enable each lower portion 46 to fit
into the associated pocket 22, 24. In the illustrated embodiment
the lower edge 38, inner edge 40, and lower portion 46 of the outer
edge 36, of each divider 26, 28, is a free edge not directly
coupled the associated main panel 12, 14.
[0016] The mouth 25 of each pocket 22, 24 can extend along a first
(lateral) direction A (FIG. 1), perpendicular to the fold line 16.
The folder 10, main panels 12, 14, pocket panels 18, 20, pockets
22, 24 and dividers 26, 28, can each have a height extending in a
second direction B (FIG. 1) perpendicular to the first direction A.
Each divider 26, 28, may in one case have a maximum width extending
along the first direction A that is at least about 1/10, or at
least about 1/8, but less than about 1/2 in one case, of the width
of the associated pocket 22, 24 and/or associated main panel 12, 14
such that each divider 26, 28 has sufficient width to effectively
operate as a divider but is not so wide as to make insertion into
or retraction from the pocket 22, 24 difficult. However, the
divider 26, 28 can have other widths if desired.
[0017] Each divider 26, 28 can have a height greater than a height
of the associated pocket panel 18, 20 and/or pocket 22, 24, but
less than a height of the associated main panel 12, 14. In one case
each divider 26, 28 can have a height that is greater than a height
of the associated main panel 12, 14, minus (or less) a height of
the associated pocket panel 18, 20. Providing a divider 26, 28 with
these height dimensions can help to ensure that each divider 26, 28
has sufficient height to extend downwardly into an associated
pocket 22, 24. In another case, each divider 26, 28 can have a
height greater than a distance between the upper edge 42 of the
associated main panel 12, 14 and the upper edge of the pocket panel
18 (or the mouth 25). Providing a divider 26, 28 with this height
dimension can help to ensure that each divider 26, 28 is
sufficiently long to extend from an upper edge 42 of the associated
main panel 12, 14, into the associated pocket 22, 24.
[0018] As noted above, when in their inserted positions the
dividers 26, 28 can help to segregated and organize contents of the
pockets 22, 24. In some cases, such as when additional storage
capacity is desired or to avoid interference with the contents of a
pocket 22, 24, it may be desired to move each divider 26, 28 to its
retracted position outside the pocket 22, 24, as shown in FIG. 3.
Each divider 26, 28 can include a notch 50 formed therein to
provide ease of movement of the divider 26, 28 between the inserted
position and the retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment
each notch 50 is positioned in/formed in the inner/second side edge
40 of the divider 26, 28. In this case the inner edge 40 can be
generally straight/linear/continuous on either side of the notch
50, except for those portions where the notch 50 is located. The
notch 50 can be generally "V" or generally "U" shaped with a mouth
52 extending along or facing the inner edge 40 of the divider 26,
28. The notch 50 is or can be viewed as a "negative space" with
material removed from or not present in the divider 26, 28 where it
would otherwise be expected to be, based upon the otherwise
relatively continuous outer perimeter/edge 40. Alternatively, the
notch 50 can be replaced with or take the form of a slit or cut 50'
(FIG. 3) formed in the divider 26, 28, either parallel with the
upper edge 42, or angled, curved, etc., with no material "removed"
in one case, where the slit or cut 50' can have the same qualities
of the notch 50 as described herein to the extent possible.
[0019] As noted above, each notch 50 or slit 50' can lend
flexibility to the associated divider 26, 28 and provide ease of
movement of the divider 26, 28 between the inserted and retracted
positions without tearing. The notch 50 or slit 50' can thus be
positioned at the areas where the highest stresses would be located
in the divider 26, 28 when the divider 26, 28 is moved between its
inserted and retracted positions if the notch 50 were not present.
In the illustrated embodiment the entire notch 50 or slit 50' is
positioned at a height position (i.e. in a vertical direction of
FIGS. 1-3 along direction B) along the inner edge 40 of the divider
26, 28 such that the notch 50 or slit 50' is entirely positioned in
an upper half or upper third of a height of the divider 26, 28,
distant from the mouth 25 of the associated pocket 22, 24. The
entire notch 50 or slit 50' can be located adjacent to the upper
edge 42; e.g. in one case positioned at a height position within an
upper third or upper half of the associated panel 12, 14.
[0020] The notch 50 or slit 50'can also have sufficient depth or
width (in a dimension along direction A, or in a direction
generally perpendicular to the inner edge 40) to provide sufficient
stress relief without unduly comprising the strength of the divider
26, 28. In one case the notch 50 or slit 50' extends at least about
15% in one case, or at least about 25% in one case, or at least
about 50% in another case, of a width of the divider 26, 28 (at a
height where the notch 50 or slit 50' is located), but less than
about 80% of the width of the divider 26, 28 so that the divider
26, 28 has sufficient flexibility but is not too weakened by the
notch 50 or slit 50'. The mouth 52 of the notch 50 may also extend
sufficiently along the height of the divider 26, 28 (along
direction A) to accommodate expected stresses. In one case the
mouth 52 of each notch 50 has a height that is at least about 1/10
in one case, or at least about 1/8 in another case, of a height the
divider 26, 28, but less than 1/3 of the height of the divider 26,
28 in one case, so that the divider 26, 28 has sufficient
flexibility but is not too weakened by the notch 50.
[0021] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate in one case how the divider 26 and
notch 50 can flex and deform as the divider 26 is moved from its
inserted position to its retracted position (with the understanding
that the other divider 28 can move in generally the same manner
with the same qualities). The divider 26 can have significant
flexibility and/or deformation in the areas adjacent/below the
notch 50 (such as area 56 shown in FIG. 7), to allow the portion 56
to flex out of a plane of the divider 26/folder 10. As shown in
FIG. 8 the notch 50 provides significant flexibility to enable the
free/distal portions of the divider 26 to be moved significantly
outside the footprint or outer perimeter of the main panels 12/14
and/or folder 10 to provide improved access to the pocket 22; in
the illustrated case more than 50% of the surface area of the
divider 26 is movable outside the footprint of the main panels
12/14 and/or folder 10 without causing any tearing or permanent
deformation of the divider 26 or folder 10. In contrast, FIGS. 9
and 10 illustrate a divider 26' lacking the notch 50, and the
divider 26' is coupled to the main panel 12 along all or
substantially all of its outer edge 36, which together result in a
divider 26' with more restricted flexibility and range of
motion.
[0022] The folder 10 can be made from a blank 58 such as that shown
in FIG. 5. The blank 58 may be made of a relatively thin sheet-like
material that is generally rectangular in shape, and includes the
main panels 12, 14, pocket panels 18, 20 and dividers 26, 28, all
laid flat and co-planar. The blank 58 can also include various
upper coupling flaps 60 and side coupling flaps 62 spaced about the
perimeter of the main panels 12, 14. The side coupling flaps 62 can
include score or fold lines 64 formed therein to provide expansion
capabilities to the pockets 22, 24. Various additional fold lines
66 are positioned in the blank.
[0023] In one embodiment the blank 58 (including the main panels
12, 14, pocket panels 18, 20 dividers 26, 28, and coupling flaps
60, 62) are formed of a single unitary seamless piece of material.
Alternatively, however, if desired the blank 58 can be made of
different pieces of material joined together. The blank 58 (and
folder 10) can be made of any wide variety of materials including
but not limited to polymers (including plastic), cardboard, paper,
polymer-coated paper or cardboard, fabric coated paper or
cardboard, etc.
[0024] In order to form the folder 10 from the blank 58, the
dividers 26, 28 are folded inwardly about the associated fold line
66 until the dividers 26, 28 are positioned flat against the main
panels 12, 14. Next the pocket panels 18, 20 are folded inwardly
about the associated fold lines 66 until the pocket panels 18, 20
are positioned flat against the main panels 12, 14. Finally, the
coupling flaps 60, 62 are folded inwardly about the associated fold
lines 66, 64 and secured to the main panels 12, 14, pocket panels
18, 20, and dividers 26, 28 such as by a suitable adhesive, or
other suitable joining means or methods, such as welding. If
desired, the dividers 26, 28 can be folded inwardly after the
pocket panels 18, 20, and coupling flaps 60, 62 are folded
inwardly, or other changes in the order of assembly can be
instituted. In any case after assembly the folder 10 can be then
used in the manner described and shown herein, providing the
associated features and benefits.
[0025] Having described the invention in detail and by reference to
the various embodiments, it should be understood that modifications
and variations thereof are possible without departing from the
scope of the claims of the present application.
* * * * *